The Problem: 

Over 2 million fragility fractures will occur this year, yet approximately 80% of these patients will not receive the recommended osteoporosis care following their fractures.  A fragility fracture is a key predictor of future fractures.  Patients who have a fragility fracture are at an 86% higher risk of a second fracture.

The Solution:

Help close the osteoporosis treatment gap by establishing a systems-based approach at your institution.  Own the Bone is a quality improvement program to address the osteoporosis treatment gap and prevent subsequent fragility fractures.  Own the Bone provides a simple, easy-to-use tool to enable hospitals, medical centers, and practices to establish a bone health program or fracture liaison service (FLS) to:

  • Identify, evaluate and treat fragility fracture patients over 50 at risk of osteoporosis.
  • Coordinate patient care among different specialties and physicians for each patient.

Through a clinically-proven, web-based patient registry and 10 prevention measures, Own the Bone seeks to:

  • Close the post-fracture treatment gap documented in the RAND and NCQA studies as it applies to physician treatment recommendations
  • Change physician and patient behavior to reduce the incidence of future fractures and impact of osteoporosis
  • The program focuses on osteoporosis diagnosis and cares following a fracture, rather than primary osteoporosis prevention.

Fragility Fractures Provide a “Teachable Moment”

Fragility fractures – as sentinel events – provide opportunities for physicians to educate patients, fellow physicians, and other healthcare professionals. The seriousness of the fracture episode provides physicians with a “teachable moment” in which it is possible to impact behavior.

FLS Programs Target Patients Twice as Likely to Have Subsequent Fractures

Fragility fractures are an independent predictor of future fractures. Patients who have had prior fractures are at a higher risk for future fractures. In particular, perimenopausal and postmenopausal women with a prior fracture have twice the risk of subsequent fracture.

Fragility Fractures…

Represent a Significant Societal Problem

Fragility fractures have become nearly epidemic in the United States among older adults with over 2 million fractures each year – more than heart attacks, strokes, and breast cancer combined.

Continue to Increase

At least 44 million Americans are affected by osteoporosis or low bone density.  Due to an aging population, the number of Americans with osteoporosis or low bone density is expected to increase significantly. Up to one-half of all women and up to one quarter of all men will suffer fragility fractures in their lifetimes.

Result in Enormous Costs

Direct care expenditure from osteoporosis-related fractures exceeds $19 billion annually. By 2025, the annual cost of fractures is projected to grow to more than $25 billion, as annual fractures surpass 3 million.

Are Undertreated

Approximately 80% of patients do not receive recommended osteoporosis care following a fracture. Men, who account for 30% of fractures and 25% of costs, are particularly undertreated.

Cause an Unnecessary and Devastating Toll

Nearly 25% of patients who suffer a hip fracture die within a year. Those who do survive often experience a loss of independence and may require long-term nursing home care.

Are the First Sign of Poor Bone Health

One of the best indicators for a future fracture is a previous fragility fracture. Fragility fractures are the first sign of poor bone health. Patients with a fragility fracture are at an 86% higher risk of a second fracture.

Provide a "Teachable Moment"

Fragility fractures, as sentinel events, provide opportunities for clinicians to educate patients, fellow physicians and other healthcare providers about the importance of bone health and osteoporosis treatment.